Chapter 96: Path to the Finals Part 1
The very next day, the semi-finals began, and it was Ash vs Gladion up first. In the stands, Ash's friends watched in anticipation. But no one was watching more closely than Lillie, who clutched Snowy closer to her in fear.
"You can do it, Ash. I believe in you."
Snowy, sensing her anxiety, gently rubbed against her arm, putting her at ease as she stroked her Pokemon.
"Thanks, Snowy. I needed that."
"Vul."
In another part of the stands, Lusamine, Mohn, and Wicke watched in anticipation.
"This is bound to be an interesting battle, isn't it Mohn?"
"For sure! I can't wait to see how much my son has grown."
Mohn's face fell slightly, thinking of all the years he missed of his children growing up. Lusamine saw this and rubbed her husband's shoulder reassuringly.
"Its okay, Mohn. You're trying, and that's what counts. We can't change the past, but we can make a brighter future."
Mohn smiled, wiping the tears from his eyes.
"Thanks, hon."
Down on the battlefield, Ash and Gladion met. For once, Gladion seemed happy, gladly shaking Ash's hand.
"Thanks for taking care of Lillie, but I won't go easy on you. Only one of us can be champion, and that's going to be me!"
"We'll see, won't we?"
The two walked to their separate ends of the arena, allowing the referee to give the rules spiel.
"Alright, this will be a full six on six battle with no time limit. Substitutions are allowed, and the battle shall continue until all Pokemon on either side are unable to battle. Are you ready?"
"Born ready!"
"Let's do this!"
"Then let the battle begin!"
"Weavile, I choose you!"
"Incineroar, let's go!"
"Weavile vs Incineroar, begin!"
"Icy Wind, Weavile!"
"Flamethrower, Incineroar!"
Weavile let loose a fierce battle cry, unleashing a flurry of ice shards, which Incineroar quickly melted. The flames hit Weavile, sending it skidding across the battlefield. He quickly managed to stop himself before charging back towards his opponent.
"Icicle spear, and don't let up!"
"Keep up the Flamethrower!"
Fire and ice clashed, Weavile managing to dodge the flame blasts while launching sharp icicles at his opponent. Although most of them melted, some managed to strike Incineroar, causing him to grunt in pain before one of them struck him in the face, causing him to flinch and let his guard down. Before he could regain his composure, Weavile leapt up, striking him with Ice Punch over and over. But Ash was biding his time, and when the opportunity presented itself...
"Incineroar, use Flame Charge!"
Just before Weavile could land another blow, Incineroar grabbed him, building up heat in his body before he and Weavile were completely encased in flames. Once they were, he sped off, smacking him into a nearby wall, knocking him out.
"Weavile is unable to battle! The round goes to Incineroar!"
Gladion nodded, quickly returning his fallen Pokemon to his ball.
"Good job, Weavile. Go, Crobat!"
"Incineroar, you still good?"
Incineroar nodded, taking a fighting stance once more.
"Crobat vs Incineroar, begin!"
"Poison Fang!"
"Fire Fang!"
Crobat swooped in, biting down hard on Incineroar's shoulder, causing him to cry out in pain. Recovering, he returned the bite with one of his own to Crobat's wing, causing him to release his grip as both stumbled back in pain. But neither one got of without a scratch. Crobat cringed as he suffered from a burn, while Incineroar became poisoned. Still, neither one was willing to back down.
"Wing Attack, Crobat!"
"Darkest Lariat, Incineroar!"
Crobat swooped down again, ready to slash Incineroar apart, only to be slapped back by Incineroar's rapidly rotating arms, nearly sending it in flying into a wall before it fluttered about dizzily.
"Heat Crash, Incineroar!"
Just as Crobat regained his bearings, the sky grew dark. Looking up, he saw Incineroar rapidly dropping towards him, hitting him before he could react and sending him crashing into the ground. When the dust settled, Crobat was out for the count.
"Crobat is unable to battle! The round goes to Incineroar!"
"Crobat, return! You did good."
"Incineroar, are you still good to continue?"
Despite the pain, Incineroar gave a thumbs up.
"Alright then, send out your next Pokemon!"
"Ask and you shall receive. Go, Porygon-Z!"
"Incineroar vs Porygon-Z, begin!"
"Tri Attack, Porygon-Z!"
"Flamethrower!"
Incineroar flame's flew past the trio of energy balls, hitting the Digital Pokemon head on. Incineroar didn't escape unscathed however, as the trio of energy balls hit him dead on, causing him to grunt in pain.
"Zap Cannon!"
Just as Incineroar was gathering his bearings, a blinding blast of energy struck him dead on, surrounding him in a thick cloud of smoke. When it settled, he was barely holding on.
"Charge up a Solar Beam!"
"Flare Blitz, Incineroar!"
Despite his injuries, Incineroar persevered, charging at his opponent so fast flames began to surround his body while Porygon-Z drew in sunlight. Time seemed to slow down until the inevitable collision until...
"Now!"
Warbling, Porygon-Z let loose all of its energy, hitting Incineroar dead center. But surprisingly, this seemed to do little to stop the fire type as he just flew into it, striking his opponent head on and causing a large explosion. When the smoke cleared, both Pokemon were unconscious, the strain being too much for them both.
"Both Incineroar and Porygon-Z are unable to battle! The round ends in a draw!"
Ash and Gladion returned their Pokemon to their balls, smiling. This was a good battle, and their hearts were pumping harder than they ever had before.
"Don't underestimate me, Ash. You may have taken down half of my team, but I always save the best for last!"
"I wouldn't dream of it! Now come on, show me all that you've got!"
